Calhoun County, AL – The Calhoun County School Board kicked off the new year with its first meeting of 2025, welcoming a packed audience. The evening began with a prayer led by Mr. Lathers and the Pledge of Allegiance before the agenda was unanimously approved. Superintendent Tony Willis expressed gratitude for the turnout, shared his enthusiasm for the year ahead, and highlighted the evening’s theme of recognition and impactful stories.
TCI CareerTech Student of the Month
Barry Russell’s wife, Julie Russell, presented this month’s TCI CareerTech Student of the Month award to Caden Birchfield, a senior at Alexander High School. Caden is active in cross country, track, wrestling, and leadership organizations like the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. Aspiring to a career in law enforcement, he plans to attend Gadsden State Community College.
Health Science Heroes
Melanie Brooks from the Calhoun County Career Academy recognized Weaver High School students Kyla Hotelling and Ariana Sani for their life-saving actions. The health science students provided emergency medical assistance to stabilize a patient until EMS arrived, demonstrating real-world application of their training. Health science instructor Miss Waddell expressed pride in their achievements, emphasizing the value of hands-on education.
Distinguished Alumna: Kimberly Christian Johnson
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Kimberly Christian Johnson, a Calhoun County Schools alumna and nationally celebrated educator. Retired educator Ruth Mitchell introduced Johnson, detailing her extensive achievements, including:
- 2022 Alabama State Teacher of the Year
- 2024 National Education Association Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2024 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence
Johnson has also been invited to the White House to help decorate for Christmas and was honored by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Despite her accolades, Johnson remains dedicated to her students, particularly those facing significant challenges. Her impactful work includes mentoring at-risk students, helping them overcome adversity, and inspiring them to strive for success.
Mitchell shared personal anecdotes about Johnson’s dedication, highlighting her upbringing in a family that valued education and resilience. Johnson credits her success to the support of her family, teachers, and the community.
The finance report, presented by Calhoun County Schools’ Chief Financial Officer, focused on the district’s financial standing as of the most recent quarter. The report highlighted key areas such as:
- Revenue and Expenditures:
- The district’s revenue for the quarter was $15.2 million, showing a steady increase compared to last year’s figures, largely due to additional state funding and an uptick in local tax revenue. The district’s main sources of funding include the state education fund, local property taxes, and federal grants.
- Expenditures for the quarter were recorded at $13.5 million, with most funds allocated toward personnel salaries, benefits, and operational costs, such as transportation, maintenance, and educational materials. The finance team noted a strategic effort to keep operational costs within budgetary limits while still meeting the needs of students and staff.
- Capital Improvements Fund:
- The district’s capital improvements fund is currently $5.1 million, primarily earmarked for upcoming construction and renovation projects across schools, including planned expansions to classroom spaces at Pleasant Valley and Alexandria High Schools. These improvements are part of an ongoing effort to enhance the learning environment and accommodate the increasing student population.
- Debt Service and Long-Term Liabilities:
- The district’s current debt service obligations were outlined, showing a reduction of approximately $200,000in outstanding liabilities. The district’s efforts to refinance certain bonds have helped lower interest costs, freeing up more funds for classroom needs.
- Additionally, the district has maintained a strong credit rating, which continues to help secure favorable rates for future borrowing as needed for growth and improvements.
- Grant Funding and Special Projects:
- The district has been successful in securing several new grants, including a $500,000 STEM initiative grant that will support the integration of cutting-edge technology into classrooms district-wide. Other grants for special education programs and safety initiatives have also been awarded, further strengthening the district’s ability to provide a diverse and comprehensive educational experience.
- Overall Financial Health:
- The CFO emphasized that the district is in a solid financial position, with a year-to-date surplus of $1.7 million. This is largely attributed to prudent fiscal management, conservative budgeting, and effective oversight of spending. The board was pleased with the positive financial outlook, and discussions were had about setting aside a portion of the surplus into a reserve fund to buffer against any unforeseen budgetary challenges in the future.
The Consent Agenda, which included routine items for approval, was swiftly reviewed and passed without discussion, as all members had been briefed on the details ahead of the meeting. Items included:
- Personnel Recommendations: The board unanimously approved the hiring and transfer recommendations, which included the following:
- New hires for various teaching positions across the district.
- A promotion of a counselor at Saks High School.
- A new hire for a maintenance supervisor at Weaver High School, ensuring the district can continue its upkeep of facilities.
- Textbook Adoption: The board ratified the adoption of new instructional materials for middle school math and high school English, which are aligned with the latest state curriculum standards.
- Student Travel Requests: Several student groups from Alexander High School and White Plains High Schoolwere approved for out-of-state travel to attend academic conferences and leadership retreats, providing students with opportunities for enrichment beyond the classroom.
- Facilities Use Agreements: The board also approved several facilities use agreements, allowing local organizations to hold events at district schools. These agreements help foster community partnerships and bring in additional revenue for the schools.
- Budget Amendments: The board ratified several budget amendments to reflect minor adjustments in line with updated state funding and operational costs. These adjustments ensure the district remains within its overall financial parameters.
- Approval of Grant Submissions: The district authorized the submission of several grant applications, including a $200,000 technology upgrade grant for the district’s high schools and a $100,000 health and wellness grant for wellness programs across the schools.
Following the review and approval of the consent agenda, the board moved on to discuss the results of the recent Community Engagement Survey. The survey was designed to gather input from parents, students, and staff on several key issues, including:
- School Safety:
- A large portion of respondents expressed concerns about the security measures at schools, with 73% of parents indicating that they would feel more comfortable if additional security personnel were present on school campuses. The board noted that this feedback would be taken into consideration as they evaluate the current safety protocols, and they discussed the possibility of increasing funding for security measures in the upcoming budget.
- Curriculum and Educational Programs:
- Respondents were overwhelmingly in favor of expanding access to STEM programs, with 82% of students and 75% of parents indicating that they would like to see more hands-on science and technology initiatives in schools. Many also expressed an interest in more artistic and extracurricular programs, such as music and theater, which led the board to consider ways to enhance funding for these programs.
- Communication:
- Communication between the school district and families was highlighted as an area for improvement. While many parents appreciated the district’s communication efforts, nearly 40% of respondents indicated that they would like to see more frequent and transparent updates about district initiatives, events, and academic performance. The board agreed to explore better ways to use digital platforms for communication, including possibly launching a new app for parent-teacher communication.
- Facilities and Resources:
- 66% of parents and staff noted the need for upgraded classroom furniture and modernized learning tools. Many suggested that improving the learning environment would boost student engagement and achievement. The survey also revealed that the district’s sports facilities were in need of significant investment, particularly with regard to maintaining fields and gyms, which led to a discussion about allocating funds for these upgrades.
- Teacher and Staff Support:
- A significant number of responses, 55%, expressed a desire for increased professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly in the areas of classroom management and special education. The board members acknowledged this feedback and pledged to increase support for teachers in the next school year.
The board noted the importance of using the survey results to guide future decisions. Superintendent Willis suggested that more in-depth community meetings would be scheduled in the coming months to discuss specific survey findings and develop action plans for addressing the most pressing concerns, such as school safety, curriculum improvements, and faculty support.
Superintendent Willis thanked all presenters and attendees for celebrating the exceptional achievements of students, educators, and alumni. The meeting underscored the district’s commitment to excellence, the importance of real-world learning, and the impact of education on individuals and the community.
The Calhoun County School Board’s first meeting of 2025 set a tone of inspiration and achievement for the year ahead.